Stop the Cuts at Peterborough Public Library!
Stop the Cuts at Peterborough Public Library!
The Issue
Three specialist librarians are being laid off at the Peterborough Public Library following a budget decision from Peterborough City Council—and the role of Children's Librarian will be eliminated.
These cuts are being made without public consultation, despite the immense negative impact they will have on our community—especially families, children, teens, and seniors.
We, the undersigned, demand that City Council, the Peterborough Public Library CEO, and the Peterborough Public Library Board reverse the planned layoffs and stop the elimination of the Children's Librarian role.
These three specialist librarians (information systems, adult/teen programming, and children's) are set to be replaced with a general librarian position and an assistant position and will result in a reduction in programming.
At no point during the City's budget deliberations was the public told that we would be losing these librarians, and that the role of Children's Librarian would be completely eliminated.
Council directed this restructuring in order to "save" $120,000 from a budget of over $411 million. It is a drop in the bucket of our City's budget, and saves the median-assessed property owner only about $2.75.
Meanwhile, the work of these librarians, and in particular the early literacy work of the Children's Librarian, is priceless. The services they provide have supported countless families—no matter their income or background. These services are an investment in our community, and these shortsighted cuts will cost a lot more than $120,000.
We are losing highly specialized professionals and once these roles are gone, they are likely gone forever. This isn’t just a staffing decision, it's a decision to make cuts to our social fabric when it's needed more than ever.
Our library is a cornerstone of our community and we will not accept these cuts!
It's not too late to act!
Please sign and share to support our library, our library workers, and the children, families, and residents who rely on them.
Note: we are not collecting funds.
2,618
The Issue
Three specialist librarians are being laid off at the Peterborough Public Library following a budget decision from Peterborough City Council—and the role of Children's Librarian will be eliminated.
These cuts are being made without public consultation, despite the immense negative impact they will have on our community—especially families, children, teens, and seniors.
We, the undersigned, demand that City Council, the Peterborough Public Library CEO, and the Peterborough Public Library Board reverse the planned layoffs and stop the elimination of the Children's Librarian role.
These three specialist librarians (information systems, adult/teen programming, and children's) are set to be replaced with a general librarian position and an assistant position and will result in a reduction in programming.
At no point during the City's budget deliberations was the public told that we would be losing these librarians, and that the role of Children's Librarian would be completely eliminated.
Council directed this restructuring in order to "save" $120,000 from a budget of over $411 million. It is a drop in the bucket of our City's budget, and saves the median-assessed property owner only about $2.75.
Meanwhile, the work of these librarians, and in particular the early literacy work of the Children's Librarian, is priceless. The services they provide have supported countless families—no matter their income or background. These services are an investment in our community, and these shortsighted cuts will cost a lot more than $120,000.
We are losing highly specialized professionals and once these roles are gone, they are likely gone forever. This isn’t just a staffing decision, it's a decision to make cuts to our social fabric when it's needed more than ever.
Our library is a cornerstone of our community and we will not accept these cuts!
It's not too late to act!
Please sign and share to support our library, our library workers, and the children, families, and residents who rely on them.
Note: we are not collecting funds.
2,618
Supporter Voices
Petition created on April 16, 2025